Friendly Plastic – My secret to easy metallic finishes

I’ve been spending late nights in the studio giving myself some creative “play time” and of course that includes working with Friendly Plastic. There are several ways to color the pellets. Among my favorite is using embossing powders because the effects are wonderful and the mess on my fingers is minimal.

In this Friendly Plastic how-to video, I show you how I combined embossing powders and molds to create my own embellishment and my secret sauce for creating beautiful metallic finishes.

Friendly Plastic – How to Make Faux Turquoise

I shared a meme on my facebook page recently that said, “When one door closes, open it up and walk through it – because that’s what door’s do!” That’s right, doors open, and they close. What does all this have to do with Friendly Plastic? Well, the “doors” of Friendly Plastic sticks have closed. It will soon be a thing of the past. However, the door to “Friendly Plastic” has not. Friendly Plastic Pellets continue to be a favored modeling medium amongst a variety of artists including jewelry makers.

Friendly Plastic Pellets are similar to sticks except they are in pellet form and colorless. In order to make them pliable, you must add a heat source. When the pellets are removed from the heat source, they being to cool and harden. This process can be repeated over and over again to accomplish a variety of techniques. Friendly Plastic pellets can also be colorized. In this Friendly Plastic video tutorial, I show you how use pre-colored pellets (here’s the video on how to colorize pellets) and turn them into a faux turquoise effect. Turn those into cabachons for your jewelry making projects.

You might be amazed at the products I used to create this effect. With the exception of one product, you most likely already have everything you need.

I encourage you to give yourself some play time with Friendly Plastic pelletes and I’m sure you’ll discover a whole new world of possiblities.

Colorizing Friendly Plastic Pellets with Embossing Powders

Many have expressed their disappointment that Friendly Plastic sticks are no longer being manufacturered. I also share in that disappointment. However, in my experience of over 25 years in the creative industry, it’s not the first time one of my favorite products has been discontinued. It’s so important to be open to new ideas and new possiblities and have a try with Friendly Plastic Pellets.

Friendly Plastic pellets can also be heated in the same way as the sticks. While the pellets don’t come with beautiful metalllic foils on the surface (see how to make your own metallic sticks here), they can be colorized in a variety of ways. I’m confident that with a little play time you will be inspired as to the new possibilities this will hold out for you in your jewelry making.

In this video, I show you how to colorize Friendly Plastic Pellets with embossing powders and then sculpt it into leaves to create a beautiful pair of earrings just in time for fall. (Watch the video here). This is also a great technique to when working with your own bezels.

Here is what you’ll need:

A quarter size amount of Friendly Plastic Pellets

Embossing Powder in color(s) of choice

Heat tool

Non-stick worksurface

Needle Tool

Jump rings

Earring wires

Headpins

2 Circle links (optional) or use other jewelry findings of choice.

Miscellaneous beads (optional)

Jewelry pliers – round nose

Wire cutters

5 EASY STEPS:

Step 1: Heat pellets on non-stick worksurface until they are clear. Sprinkle on embossing powders. Allow them to cool slightly before handling.

Step 2: Massage embossing powders into plastic until they are mixed in. Pull off a small pea size portion of plastic.

Step 3: Roll pea size portion of plastic into a ball, flatten with hand and shape into a leaf (teardrop shape)

Step 4: If necessary, apply more heat to soften plastic and use a needle tool (toothpick) to creat vein marks in leaf to give dimension. Make a small hole in the top.

Step 5: Assemble earrings by inserting a jump ring into the hole of the leaf and then onto a circle link. Attach circle link to earring wire with additional jump ring. Make a beaded dangle by threading a bead onto a headpin and then creating a loop at the top with round nose pliers. Trim off excess wire and add dangle to earring.

Please help me to keep bringing you fresh, free videos by sharing this post or the video on youtube with your friends and family. Have comments? Leave them in the comment box below

DISCLAIMER: I was offered compensation for this video – that’s how I keep the lights on folks!

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Polymer Clay – Project Club

Linda is a professional artist, consultant and author in the Arts and Crafts/Creative Industry. Born in St. Louis, and native to Southern Missouri, she is constantly on the search for ways to inspire others with creativity. Read More…